Course in Draughts 1

8/3/2019 Course in Draughts 1

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A guide for beginning and more advanced playersof the international game of 10 x 10 draughts


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A course in international draughts

By Tjalling GoedmoedFinished december 2008,Leeuwarden / Netherlands

The diagram shows a composition by A. Ermakov. White to play and win!


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Table of contents

Introduction

1. Notation2. Combinations3. Coup Philippe4. Harlem shot5. Coup Royal6. Kung Fu shot7. Ping Pong shot8. Bomb shot9. Arch shot

10. Coup Napoleon11. More shots12. Forcing13. The free move

14. The stick-move15. Giving your opponent a king16. Attacking a wing17. The sacrifice18. Strong threats19. Base pieces20. Trapping your opponent21. King shots22. The king is caught23. Formations24. Freezing out your opponent25. Tactical freeze out26. Exploiting a weak spot

27. Locks28. The fork lock29. The chain lock30. Right wing lock31. Other locks32. The endgame33. Opposition34. King against pieces35. The main diagonal36. Trictrac lines37. Quadrants38. Laying an ambush39. Tactics in the endgame40. Practical endgames

Sources

Opleiding tot het Sijbrands diplomaB. Dollekamp / H. Hylkema

Prisma DamboekR.C. Keller

Monografie van de Coup RoyalHerman de Jongh

DamMentorTj. Goedemoed

Slagzetten in het klassieke middenspel

J. Stokkel / P. Levels

Geforceerd winnenH. de Waard

500 Lokzetten op het dambordH. de Waard

Kleine schuifdwangproblemenA. v.d. Stoep

Strategie der honderd veldenJ. F. Moser

Alle typezetjesA. van der Stoep

Praktische damcombinaties (31) (34) (35)I. Koeperman

Turbo DambaseK. Bor

Strategie en taktiekH. Wiersma / Tirion Sport

Honderd praktische problemen

V. Bulat


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Introduction

This is a course for people who want to play the

game of draughts at a higher level. Not onlybeginners but also fairly advanced players cangain a lot from this course.

The game of draughts is characterized by anunlimited number of tricks and surprises. Themost important trick in the game is called acombination or a shot. The number of shots isso enormous that even grandmasterssometimes miss a shot during their games. Theshots, sacrifices, forcings and other tricks makethe game very attractive to play, watch andpractise!

Teaching you how to become a stronger playeris not the only goal of this course. The coursealso wants to show you some beautiful aspectsof the game.

Every lesson consists of a theoretical part withexamples you can perform at your board. Everylesson is completed by a number of exercises.You can note down the solutions to theexercises in an exercise book. The solutions ofthe exercises are given after every 10 lessons.

Usually the task is to look for a combination.Exercises like these are marked with a C.C 3.4 means exercise 4 of lesson 3: white winsby means of a combination.

This course is mainly aimed at tactical aspectsof the games. Tactics refers to shots, forcings,traps etc. A second course will have a morestrategic approach.

I hope you will learn a lot from this course andabove all I hope you will enjoy the game!

Tjalling Goedemoed, june 2008

About the author

Tjalling Goedemoed is an experienced trainer indraughts. He has worked with many successfulyoung players who played in World andEuropean championships. Goedemoed is authorof a Dutch draughts book (translated): UncleIan teaches his nephew how to play draughts.Goedemoed composed five courses in draughtsat cd-rom. This trainings program containingthousands of exercises is called DamMentor.You can buy these cd-roms [email protected]

Thank you!

I want to thank Edwin Twiest for checking thetechnical part of this course and I thank Martijnde Jong and Martijn van der Klis for checkingthe English text.Thanks to Frits Luteijn the course can bedistributed internationally.


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1. Notation

6

16

26

36

46

1

11

21

31

41

7

17

27

37

47

2

12

22

32

42

8

18

28

38

48

3

13

23

33

43

9

19

29

39

49

4

14

24

34

44

10

20

30

40

50

5

15

25

35

45

The squares of the draughts board arenumbered from 1 to 50. The diagram shows the

way the board is numbered. In the beginning ofthe game blacks pieces are at squares 1 until20, white is at squares 31 until 50.

6

16

26

36

46

1

11

21

31

41

7

17

27

37

47

2

12

22

32

42

8

18

28

38

48

3

13

23

33

43

9

19

29

39

49

4

14

24

34

44

10

20

30

40

50

5

15

25

35

45

We can write down moves now.33 29 means that the piece at 33 moves to 29.After this move black has to capture 3 pieces:35 x 22 (majority rule: you have to take the mostpieces!). Piece 35 goes to 22. Because it is acapture we write down an x in stead of a -between the numbers.White plays 29 x 27, taking 4 pieces andcleaning the board.

6

16

26

36

46

1

11

21

31

41

7

17

27

37

47

2

12

22

32

42

8

18

28

38

48

3

13

23

33

43

9

19

29

39

49

4

14

24

34

44

10

20

30

40

50

5

15

25

35

45

White performs a nice combination here with acoup Turc.

Exercise 1.1: Put the position at your board andthen play the following moves:

26 21 17 x 4628 x 19 46 x 1429 23 14 x 29

Write down the last capturing move for white!

Exercise 1.2: Put all the pieces on your board

and try to follow the moves that are written downhere: In front of the moves the number of themove is written. So 1.32 28 means that at thefirst move white moves piece 32 to square 28.

1.32 28 18 232.33 - 29 23 x 32

3.37 x 28 12 18?

A question mark (?) means: a weak move or amistake. An exclamation mark (!) means: astrong move.

This is the position that should be at your board.White can perform a combination. So you haveto give away pieces and take more pieces back.Try to find it!

Exercise 1.3


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Black has just played a move attacking whitepieces in two directions.

Which was blacks last move?

Play the following move:

1.37 31!

How does black have to capture now?Write down the capture of black and white.

Exercise 1.4

White can win piece 20 by attacking it.Write down the 3 moves white has to play. We

show you blacks moves:

. 3 9

. 9 14

.

Exercise 1.5

Piece 28 is not protected well. White to play canwin the piece by attacking it. Write down themove that wins a piece for white.

Example 1.6

Lets do this again. Whites king has to stopblacks pieces. First stop piece 16 and after itstop the other piece.

28 33

16 21

33 39

Exercise 1.7

White plays a move after which his opponent

has to capture 3 pieces. After this white takes 4pieces to king.Write down the moves described above.


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2. Combinations

A combination (or shot) is a sequence of moves

in which your opponent has to take severalpieces after which you take more pieces or get aking.

White gives all his pieces but one, taking a shot.

1.26 21 17 x 262.37 31 26 x 373.38 32 37 x 284.39 33 28 x 395.40 34 39 x 30

6.35 x 11

In this diagram you have to give away pieces inthe right sequence. After 1.45 40? black takes34 x 45.

1.42 38 33 x 422.43 - 39 34 x 433.45 40 35 x 44

4.50 x 28

It often helps to ask yourself thequestion: Where do I want to get ablack piece to make a shot?

White wants a black piece at 31!White has to begin playing 49 43 becauseplaying other moves, white has to take backafter 35 x 44 by 49 x 40 after which he loses histurn!

1.49 43! 35 x 442.43 39 44 x 333.42 38 33 x 424.41 37 42 x 31

5.36 x 9

White wants black to go to 20 and bring piece 26to square 30. Because black has to capture atthe next move white has a free move.

1.33 28! 29 x 202.27 21 26 x 173.28 22 17 x 28

4.39 33 28 x 395.40 34 39 x 30

6.35 x 11

When looking for a shot youalways have to look at moves giving

away pieces !


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Exercise 2.1

Write down the combination for white!

White can sometimes take one or more piecesduring a combination. In this case black has tocapture again to make sure white can moveagain. White removes piece 13 so that he cantake a shot to king.

1.34 30! 25 x 232.28 x 19 13 x 243.37 31 26 x 28

4.33 x 4

White gives away 3 pieces in order to take back4 pieces himself.

1.33 29 24 x 22

2.32 28 choice3.38 x 20

At the first move black has to take the mostpieces. At the second move black can choosehow to take one piece, but it doesnt make adifference.

The majority rule is very importantwhen taking shots. You always haveto take the most pieces!

Exercise 2.2

White to play can perform a combination. At the

first move black has to take the most pieces.Write down the combination!

White will bring a black piece at 34 by takingbackwards 34 x 43.

1.33 29 23 x 322.29 23 19 x 283.39 33 28 x 394.34 x 43 25 x 345.43 39 34 x 43

6.49 x 18


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At the second move white takes a piece, butblack has to take again, so that the combinationgoes on.

1.33 28 26 x 372.28 x 19 37 x 283.19 14 10 x 194.38 33 28 x 30

5.34 x 2

During the combination white takes two pieces.Removing piece 23 gives white a 45 x 3 shot.

1.33 28! 16 x 272.28 x 30 25 x 433.38 x 49 27 x 384.49 43 38 x 40

5.45 x 3

Exercise 2.3


Sometimes it makes sense to look at thestrangest move you can play! Black to move canget one or two pieces (of course he should take2 if the situation doesnt change). White howeveroffers him three pieces!

1.42 38 32 x 232.20 x 16

1.29 24! 20 x 272.23 x 5

Exercise 2.4



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C 2.1

C 2.2

C 2.3

C 2.4

C 2.5

C 2.6

C 2.7

C 2.8


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3. Coup Philippe

The French word for combination (shot) is coup.

Many combinations have been given a name.Most names were invented by French players,who were the strongest players of the world atthe beginning of the 20

thcentury. A very

important type of combination is called after theFrench draughts player Philippe. In many, manygames this combination plays a role.

This diagram shows the basic pattern of theCoup Philippe.White obtains the following goals:He removes pieces 18 and 16.He gets a black piece at 34.He takes 4 black pieces: 40 x 16.

1.27 22! 18 x 272.32 x 21 16 x 273.34 30 25 x 34

4.40 x 16

The same pattern, but this time white takes from38 to 16.

Example 3.1 Write down this second exampleof the Coup Philippe!

In this case white will get a 38 x 20 shot. Thepiece at 20 is going to king.

1.27 22! 18 x 272.32 x 21 16 x 273.34 30 24 x 33

4.38 x 20

Pieces 16 and 18 are removed in a different wayin this example.

1.26 21 17 x 262.27 22 18 x 273.37 31 26 x 374.41 x 21 16 x 275.33 29 24 x 33

6.38 x 16

Lets look at an opening of the game in which

the coup Philippe plays a role.

1.33 28 18 232.39 33 12 183.44 39 7 12

4.31 26 20 25?

White put a piece at the edge of the board at the4

thmove hoping his opponent will do the same.

White removes pieces 18 and 16 and makes a34 30 shot.

5.28 22 17 x 28


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6.33 x 22 18 x 277.32 x 21 16 x 278.34 30 25 x 34

9.40 x 16

Lets look at another opening:1.32 28 18 232.38 32 12 183.31 27 7 124.43 38 20 245.37 31 17 21

Usually white plays 31 26 in such situations,but in this game white tries to trap his opponent:

6.27 22 18 x 277.31 x 22 12 18?

Black attacks piece 22, but white has prepared ashot.

8.22 17! 21 x 12

After 11 x 22 9.28 x 26 white gains a piece.

9.28 22 18 x 2710.32 x21 16 x 2711.33 29 24 x 33

12.38 x 16

Now we change blacks 4th move. We let blackplay:

4 17 225.28 x 17 11 x 31

6.36 x 27 1 77.49 43 20- 24

8.41 36

Exercise 3.2 White hopes for his opponent toplay a move after which he can perform a coupPhilippe.Which move is white hoping for?

1.33 28! 22 x 44

Black must take 2 pieces, giving white the

opportunity to remove pieces 18 and 16.

2.27 22 18 x 273.32 x 21 16 x 2 74.43 39 44 x 33

5.38 x 16

In this position the Coup Philippe is quitedifficult, because black has a capturing choice.Try to concentrate well to understand whathappens.

1.27 22!

Black has a choice. If black takes 18 x 27 the

combination is easy: 32 x 21 16 x 27 33 29 24x 33 38 x 16 and white is 2 pieces up. Better forblack is to choose 17 x 28.

1 17 x 282.33 x 22 18 x 273.32 x 21 16 x 27

The first goal is accomplished. Pieces 18 en 16are removed. Now white must get a black pieceat 33. White gives 3 pieces to do that.

4.35 30! 24 x 35

5.44 40 35 x 336.38 x 16

The position seems equal. If you look well it isclear that piece 27 cant be defended. So whitewill gain a piece. You can investigate thisyourself.

In the examples 3.1 / 3.8 white to move canperform a coup Philippe.


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C 3.1

C 3.2

C 3.3

C 3.4

C 3.5

C 3.6

C 3.7

C 3.8


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4. Harlem shot

This is a combinational pattern that is named

after a Dutch city, Harlem. It is a famous shot.

This diagram shows the idea of the combination.White brings 3 pieces in a row at 19, 23 and 28.Then he removes the middle piece, piece 23.After this white can take 3 pieces with 32 x 5.

1.28 22! 17 x 282.34 29 23 x 34

3.32 x 5

The reason this combination is so famous isbecause it can appear after only 2 moves in agame! Watch:

1.33 28 18 222.39 33?

A mistake. Black wins two pieces by:

2. 22 273.32 x 21 16 x 274.31 x 22 19 235.28 x 19 17 x 306.35 x 24 20 x 29

And also piece 19 is lost.

The same combination is possible after:

1.32 28 18 23

2.37 32?

Black can bring 3 pieces in a row: 32, 28 and 23.Then he removes piece 28. After that he cantake 19 x 26.

1 23 29!2.33 x 24 20 x 293.34 x 23 17 224.28 x 17 19 x 26

In the beginning of the game the Harlem shotcan often play a role.Lets play like this:

1.32 - 28 19 232.28 x 19 14 x 233.37 32 10 144.41 37 14 195.33 28 5 10?

The pattern is the same: White brings 3 piecesin a row to 19, 23 and 32 and removes themiddle piece 23.

Do you see how the combination is performed?


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We play from the beginning position:

1.32 28 18 23

2.33 29 23 x 323.37 x 28 16 21

White can change pieces 4.28 23 19 x 285.29 24 20 x 29 6.34 x 32 or play 4.31 26 or4.38 33.The logical move 4.39 33 playing towards thecentre (which is normally good as we will learnlater) is answered by a Harlem shot.

4.39 33?

4 21 27!5.31 x 22 19 236.29 x 18 12 x 32

7.38 x 27 17 x 30

From the opening we play:

1.33 28 18 232.31 27 20 24

3.37 31?

Black uses the majority rule (you always have tocapture the most pieces) to perform a Harlemshot here.

1 23 29!2.34 x 23 17 22

3.27 x 18 13 x 334.38 x 20 19 x 26

First white opens square 14. After that a blackpiece is transported to square 28 in a way youshould bear in mind.

1.34 29 23 x 342.40 x 20 14 x 253.35 30 25 x 344.28 22 17 x 395.38 33 39 x 28

6.32 x 5

White has to sacrifice a lot of pieces beforeperforming the final shot.

1.27 22 18 x 272.36 31 27 x 36

3.28 22 17 x 284.35 30 24 x 355.44 40 35 x 336.38 x 20 15 x 24

7.32 x 5

In each of the following exercises white to movecan perform a Harlem shot all the time.


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C 4.1

C 4.2

C 4.3

C 4.4

C 4.5

C 4.6

C 4.7

C 4.8


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5. Coup Royal

The pattern of the coup Royal goes like this:

1.27 22! 18 x 272.32 x 21 23 x 34

3.40 x 7

The first move 27-22 helps to achieve severalgoals:Piece 18 is removed.Because piece 32 disappears black must take 3pieces at 34.White takes several black pieces with piece 40.

Pieces 40 and 45 work togethernicely. The formation of pieces 40

and 45 is calledthe Olympic formation.

In this example the Olympic formation is notfinished yet. During the combination white gainsa free move to finish the formation playing 44 40.

1.27 22! 18 x 272.32 x 21 23 x 343.44 40! 16 x 27

4.40 x 7

The position is much better for white becausewhite is in possession of the Olympic formation.White creates a threat by

1.43 39!

A threat is a strong move (which is mostly thebeginning of a combination) you want to play atthe next move. In this case white wants to play27 22!! at the next move. So we can say:White threatens to perform the coup Royal.What can black do to prevent this winning coupRoyal?If black plays 11 17 or 12 17 white plays thewinning 27 22!. The only solution that doesntcost black a piece, is to play 15 20. After thismove white creates a longer formation than 40,

45 by putting an extra piece at 34. Now theformation is 34, 40, 45.

1 15 20 2.39 34!

There is a new threat now. White wants to playthe exchange 34 29 23 x 34 40 x 29 to createa (positionally) winning position.

For example: 2. 11 17 3.34 29! 23 x 344.40 x 29 17 21 5.45 40 12 -17 6.40 35 17

22 8.28 x 17 21 x 12 7.32 28 12 17 8.38 32 17 22 (after 17 21 9.48 42 black is

forced to give away a lot of pieces) 9.28 x 17 19 23 10.27 22! 18 x 38 11.29 x 9 14 x 3 12.25x 14 38 x 29 and white wins.

After 2 24 30 3.34 29! 23 x 34 4.40 x 2930 - 35 there is the simple shot 29 23 W+1.

After 2 23 29 3.34 x 23 18 x 29 white plays4.48 43 11 - 17 (same plan for white after 13 -18) 5.43 39 17 21 6.40 35 and at the nextmove white plays 35 30 +.


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This position showed you some practical ideasin a normal position.

Sometimes the coup Royal is only the beginningof a deeper combination. In this case the coupRoyal is followed up by a king shot.

1.27 22! 18 x 272.32 x 21 23 x 343.35 30 20 x 404.50 x 30 16 x 275.37 32 27 x 38

6.42 x 4

1.27 22! 18 x 272.32 x 21 23 x 343.40 x 18 16 x 274.47 41 12 x 235.37 31 26 x 37

6.41 x 1

Right from the opening white fell into a nice trap.White has just played 31 27 attacking piece21. You would expect black to play 11 16, but

he performs a beautiful combination:

1 24 29!!2.33 x 15 19 243.28 x 17 11 x 334.39 x 28 24 305.35 x 24 14 206.25 x 14 10 x 50

1.37 31 26 x 372.32 x 41 23 x 343.40 x 9 17 x 394.45 40 13 x 46.40 34 39 x 30

7.35 x 2

White forces a winning coup Royal. After 37 31 the threat of 27 22 emerges.

1.37 31! 7 112.27 22! 18 x 273.32 x 21 17 x 374.43 39 23 x 34

5.40 x 16


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C 5.1

C 5.2

C 5.3

C 5.4

C 5.5

C 5.6

C 5.7

C 5.8


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6. Kung Fu shot

The most important theme of this shot is that asquare (square 37 in this case) is opened with

taking backwards so that black jumps to thissquare.

1.43 38! 33 x 422.37 x 48 26 x 37

4.41 x 3

The combination can be performed at differentplaces at the board.

In this case square 34 is opened.

1.38 33! 28 x 392.34 x 43 25 x 34

3.40 x 16

Sometimes you have to prepare the Kung Fupart of the combination.

Kung Fu refers to the kicking backcapture which opens a square in

order to make black jump to the samesquare.

White gets a king at 5, by through the followingactions:Piece 14 is removed.A black piece is transported to square 33. Whitecan take back then with 28 x 39 opening square28. Black has to capture piece 22 after whichwhite jumps to king square 5.

1.35 30! 24 x 442.25 20 14 x 253.43 39 44 x 334.28 x 39 17 x 28

5.32 x 5

White achieves the following goals:Piece 18 is removed.Square 34 is opened by taking back 34 x 43.Black must take 25 x 34 after which white jumps

to square 7 and is on his way to a king.

1.27 22! 18 x 272.28 22 17 x 393.34 x 43 25 x 34

4.40 x 7


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1.38 33?

A very dangerous move opening a track to kingfor black.

1. 23 29!2.34 x 23 30 34

3.39 x 8 12 x 34.21 x 12 7 x 495.16 x 7 49 x 2

In this example white transports a king to square33 and uses a free move to play 44 40.

1.36 31! 27 x 362.47 41 36 x 473.44 40 47 x 334.29 x 38 20 x 29

5.34 x 3

This position occurred in a game between twograndmasters: G. Jansen beat Gantwarg duringthe Wch 1992.

White wants a black piece at 27 after which hetransports another piece to 43 to make the KungFu shot.

1.22 18! 22 x 132.37 31 36 x 273.25 20 14 x 254.35 30 25 x 435.38 x 49 27 x 38

6.42 x 15

White is looking for a 39 x 6 shot.

1.24 19! 13 x 24

2.37 31 36 x 273.38 32 27 x 384.33 x 42 24 x 33

5.39 x 6

This is a special case! Square 33 is openedwhile piece 33 supports the shot at the sametime!

1.28 22! 17 x 372.27 21 16 x 273.35 30 24 x 444.33 x 42 44 x 33

5.38 x 7


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C 6.1

C 6.2

C 6.3

C 6.4

C 6.5

C 6.6

C 6.7

C 6.8


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7. Ping Pong shot

In a ping pong shot there are several capturing

moves in a row. The capturing part is like a rallyin a ping pong game.

1.35 30! 25 x 342.40 x 18 13 x 22

3.28 x 26

In this example white has to open square 18 firstbefore the ping pong show begins.

1.27 22! 18 x 272.35 - 30 25 x 343.40 x 18 13 x 22

4.28 x 26

After removing pieces 17 and 18 white can takethe ping pong shot winning a piece.

1.27 22 18 x 272.31 x 11 16 x 73.25 20 14 x 344.40 x 18 13 x 22

5.28 x 26

Here the situation is more complex, becauseblack has a choice at the first move.

1. 22 17!

If black takes 1 12 x 21 then white continues:2.34 30 25 x 34 3.40 x 18 13 x 22 4.28 x 26gaining a piece. The other capture allows alonger shot.

1. 11 x 222.28 x 17 12 x 213.34 30 25 x 344.40 x 18 13 x 225.33 29 24 x 33

6.39 x 26

We see a similar idea in a different position ofthe board. At the first move black has a choicebut only taking towards the centre makes sense.

1.29 23! 19 x 282.37 31 26 x 37


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4.41 x 23 18 x 295.33 x 4

When looking for a combinationnever forget to check moves afterwhich black has a choice how to

capture!

1.27 22 18 x 272.32 x 21 16 x 273.29 x 18 12 x 23

After 13 x 22 white wins a piece by 33 29 24 x33 39 x 6.

4.34 30 25 x 345.40 x 18 13 x 22

6.33 29 24 x 337.39 x 6

White gains a piece.

1.35 - 30!

White has a nice position surrounding the blackcentre. Black wants to get space and makes anexchange to square 28. White however hasforeseen this and gains advantage through aping pong shot.

1 23 28

2.33 x 22 17 x 283.32 x 23 19 x 28

White has a free move to make a rally.

4.43 39! 21 x 325.39 33! 28 x 396.34 x 43 25 x 23

7.37 x 10

White thought this to be a strong move, but hewas mistaken:

1.25 20? 24 30!2.35 x 24 13 193.24 x 13 18 x 94.27 x 29 15 x 44

This is a famous composition of Dutch composer

Gortmans. We hope you enjoy this nice piece ofart in which white performs a ping pong shotending in a surprising, winning position.

1.38 33! 28 x 482.50 44 25 x 343.44 39 34 x 434.42 38 48 x 315.36 x 27 22 x 316.11 x 22 18 x 277.32 x 21 43 x 32

8.26 x 17


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C 7.1

C 7.2

C 7.3

C 7.4

C 7.5

C 7.6

C 7.7

C 7.8


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8. Bomb shot

In this position white can win using thecombinational idea of the Bomb shot.

1.27 21! 16 x 272.32 x 12 23 x 41

This is what it is all about. Black has to take 2pieces so that piece 12 can inflict damage to theblack position. Piece 12 blows up the blackposition like a bomb.

3.12 x 23 19 x 284.30 x 10 15 x 45.36 x 47 26 x 37

6.33 x 22

And white will also win piece 37. White will gain2 pieces by the Bomb.

Black to play

After black plays

1 12 17?

White can perform the Bomb shot playing 27 21. This is a standard situation. As you will see,white gains one piece.

Calculating the Bomb combination is oftencomplicated. This is a position from a real gamebetween two young Dutch players.

1.39 34!

It seems that black can perform a good Bombcombination, but white has calculated deeperThe open square at 9 appears to be the problemfor black.

1 24 30?2.35 x 24 19 x 393.28 x 10 39 x 28

4.25 x 14 4 95.32 x 23 15 x 4

White has two free moves now! He uses them to

gain a piece.

6.43 39! 18 x 297.39 33 9 x 20

8.33 x 15

Taking the Bomb shot 27 21 results in a bigexchange. White should give an extra piece firstbefore dropping the bomb.

1.30 24! 20 x 292.27 21 16 x 273.32 x 12 23 x 414.12 x 34 26 x 37


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5.36 x 47

White will gain a piece at the next move.

Black has just played the dangerous 12 17move. White calculated that the Bomb shotwould result in an equal number of pieces:1.27 21? 16 x 27 2.32 x 12 23 x 41 3.12 x 2319 x 28 4.33 x 22 13 19 5.46 x 37 24 29 6.34x 23 19 x 17 =.

Its not enough to only look at the Bomb shot insuch situations. You have to check if white canget rid of piece 34 and take a 27 21 shot after.

1.25 20! 14 x 252.34 29 23 x 343.39 x 30 25 x 34

4.27 21 16 x 275.32 x 14 9 x 20

And after 6.44 39 13 19 7.39 x 30 20 258.50 44 25 x 34 9.44 39 etc. white gains apiece.

To be able to remove pieces 23 and 14 whitefirst has to remove piece 24.

1.33 29! 24 x 222.25 20 14 x 253.35 30 25 x 344.40 x 29 23 x 34

5.27 21 16 x 276.32 x 5

If black plays 11 17? In such situations youcan also look at a shot, which is called theAtomic Bomb shot, because its impact is evengreater than the conventional Bomb shot.A Bomb shot always has the move 27 21 in it.An Atomic Bomb shot includes the moves 27 -2216 x 27 32 x 21.

1.27 22! 18 x 272.32 x 21 23 x 413.46 x 37 16 x 274.37 31 26 x 37

4.42 x 2

An immediate 27 22 shot would only succeedhaving a piece at 46. In this case white removes

piece 23 before playing 27 22 etc.

1.35 30 24 x 352.34 29 23 x 343.39 x 30 35 x 244.27 22 18 x 275.32 x 21 16 x 276.37 31 26 x 37

7.42 x 2


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1.34 29 23 x 342.40 x 20 15 x 243.27- 22 18 x 274.32 x 21 16 x 275.37 31 26 x 376.42 x 11 6 x 17

7.28 23 19 x 288.33 x 11

If white has piece 46 and 41 an immediate 27 22 will work.

1.27 22 18 x 272.32 x 21

Black has an unpleasant choice between 2 16x 27 3.37 31 etc. or 2 23 x 32 3.37 x 28 16 x27 4.28 23 19 x 28 5.33 x 2.

Having a piece at 41 gives white quite anotheridea to perform an Atomic Bomb shot:

1.27 22 18 x 272.32 x 21 16 x 273.37 31! 26 x 464.40 34 23 x 325.47 41 46 x 37

6.42 x 2

White has to give piece 25 up and down beforebeing able to get rid of 23 by 33 29.

1.34 30 25 x 342.35 30 34 x 253.33 29 23 x 344.27 22 18 x 275.32 x 21 16 x 27

6.28 23 19 x 287.38 32 27 x 38

8.42 x 2

1 11 17?2.35 30 24 x 353.34 29 23 x 344.39 x 30 35 x 245.27 22 18 x 276.32 x 21 16 x 277.28 23 19 x 288.37 32 28 x 37

9.42 x 2


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C 8.1

C 8.2

C 8.3

C 8.4

C 8.5

C 8.6

C 8.7

C 8.8


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9. Arch shot

The black piece at 18 is transported to square

29. The piece moves in the shape of an archfrom 18 to 29. While doing this white gains afree move because piece 23 will have to captureat the next move.

1.27 22! 18 x 272.38 33 27 x 293.39 34 23 x 32

4.34 x 5

In this example the same pattern is shown, butthis time in another direction.

1.30 24 19 x 302.39 33 30 x 283.38 32 23 x 34

4.32 x 1

Lets put all the pieces at the board and play thefollowing moves:

1.32 28 19 232.28 x 19 14 x 233.37 32 10 144.41 37 14 19

5.33 28

Now the move 5 10 is prohibited, just as wehave seen in the lesson about the Coup Harlem.It is correct for black to play the exchange 17

22 28 x 17 11 x 22. Black normally plays:

5. 17 216.31 27 5 10?

White can perform an Arch Shot. Piece 18 istransported to 29. The capture 23 x 32 at thenext move gives white a free move.

7.27 22! 18 x 278.38 33 27 x 29

9.37 31!

This is the best way to use the free move. Nowthe piece at 32 is attacked by the king at 5

immediately.

9 23 x 32 10.34 x 5

After this it is a good plan to hide your kingbehind your own pieces, so it cant be capturedeasily. After the position of the opponent isweakened you can bring the king into the gameagain to make some combinations with it orattack pieces.

If black plays

6 21 26

White can try to trap black again by playing

7.38 33

After this black is not allowed to play 5 10again. Can you spot the Arch shot?

7 11 178.43 - 38 5 10?


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White can take a king shot although it is notwinning. Black has a choice at the second moveof the combination, but white will end up at 5anyway.

9.27 22 18 x 2710.32 x 21 23 x 4311.49 x 38 16 x 2712.38 32 27 x 29

13.34 x 5

The king is caught by 13 13 19! 14.5 x 11 6x 17 with an equal amount of pieces.

The arch by which piece 18 is going to 29 isbigger now.

1.25 20! 14 x 252.27 22 17 x 28

3.33 x 22 18 x 274.36 31 27 x 365.47 41 36 x 386.39 33 38 x 29

5.34 x 1

(Diagram next column)

This is a very difficult but beautiful shot. Piece18 is transported to 29 in a special way.Black gets a king at 47 while one of his pieces istrapped at 43. After the king shot whites kingcan capture more pieces.

1.27 22 18 x 272.36 31 27 x 363.47 41 36 x 474.37 31 26 x 375.32 x 41 23 x 436.41 37 47 x 297.34 x 5 43 x 348.40 x 20 15 x 14

9.5 x 26

This is the Grand Prix shot. We will give anotherexample.

Grand prix shot

White gains two free moves enabling him tobuild the Olympic formation during this beautifulcombination. The trapped piece at 43, will come

into play after white has got his king, inflictingmore damage to the black position.

1.27 22! 18 x 272.32 x 21 23 x 433.45 40 16 x 274.36 31 27 x 365.47 41 36 x 476.50 45 47 x 297.34 x 5 43 x 348.40 x 20 25 x 14

9.5 x 16


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C 9.1

C 9.2

C 9.3

C 9.4

C 9.5

C 9.6

C 9.7

C 9.8


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10. Coup Napoleon

A legend tells us that the famous emperorNapoleon was fond of playing draughts with hisofficers and generals.

The story tells of Napoleon once having thisposition against a general. Napoleon performedthe following devastating combination:

1.27 22! 17 x 282.37 31 28 x 463.38 32 46 x 284.35 30 24 x 355.26 21 16 x 27

6.31x 4

When adding a black piece at 18 and a white

piece at 31, the combination is also possible.

1.27 -22 18 x 27

After 1 17 x 28 whites goal to bring a piece to28 is immediately reached. White continues 35 30 24 x 35 26 21 16 x 27 31 x 4.

2.31 x 22 17 x 28

Now the combination continues in the same wayas the first example: 37 31 28 x 46 38 32 46x 28 35 30 24 x 35 26 21 16 x 27 31 x 4 +.

We see both players having identical positions.Such a position is called symmetrical.Black makes a mistake here:

1 24 29?2.33 x 24 20 x 29

Square 29 is called the graveyard, because it ispretty dangerous to go to this square, althoughsometimes it is very strong. In this case whitecan perform a little Coup Napoleon, winning apiece.

3.28 22! 17 x 284.27 21 16 x 275.31 x 24 19 x 30

6.34 x 25

The capturing part of the Coup Napoleon is

characterized by a capture forwards, followed bya capture backwards and then proceedingforwards again.

Lets look at a game in which black wassuccessful with a coup Napoleon in the opening.

Rabatel Drost1.32 - 28 20 - 252.38 - 32 14 - 203.31 - 27 17 - 214.43 - 38 21 - 265.37 31 26 x 37


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6.42 x 31 10 - 147.47 - 42 5 - 108.41 - 37 20 - 24

9.46 - 41 18 - 2310.49 - 43 14 - 2011.31 - 26 13 - 18

White has to take care. Both 37 31 as 36 31are punished by a shot.At 12.37 31 black takes the arch shot 24 2912.33 x 22 12 17 13.28 x 19 17 x 46 +.After white played 36 31? black performed acoup Napoleon.

12.36 31 24 29!13.33 x 22 23 2914.34 x 23 16 2115.27 x 16 25 30

16.35 x 24 20 x 47

White forces a coup Napoleon.

1.39 33! 19 24

After 1 29 34 2.33 29 piece 34 gets lost.

2.33 28! 13 193.28 22! 18 x 274.31 x 22 17 x 285.37 31 28 x 466.38 32 46 x 287.35 - 30 24 x 35

8.26 21 16 x 279.31 x 4

In the Hisard Chiland game (Yalta 1961) whiteplayed a seemingly strong move.

1.28 22?

Black answered 1 5 10 2.22 x 13 8 x 19after which 3.32 28! 21 x 23 4.34 30 25 x 345.40 x 7 followed.At 1 8 13 white would play 2.32 28 21 x 233.42 38 18 x 27 4.34 30 25 x 34 5.40 x 7 16-21 6.7 x 16 after which black is in trouble.However black could have performed a fabulouscombination, which was shown after the gameby the legendary grandmaster Baba Sy fromSenegal.

1 3 9!!2.22 x 4 26 313.37 x 17 11 x 314.36 x 27 12 185.4 x 22 16 216.27 x 16 24 297.34 x 23 25 308.35 x 24 20 x 49


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C 10.1

C 10.2

C 10.3

C 10.4

C 10.5

C 10.6

C 10.7

C 10.8


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Solutions lessons 1 till 10

Lesson 1: Notation

Exercise 1.1 33 x 31

Exercise 1.2 White can perform the combinationin two ways:

1) 29 24 19 x 30 35 x 24 20 x 29 34 x 2116 x 27 31 x 22 W+2

2) 28 23 19 x 28 29 24 20 x 29 34 x 2116 x 27 31 x 33 W+2

Exercise 1.3: Black has played 24 29.37 31! 26 x 19 34 x 1

Exercise 1.4 35 30 3 - 9 33 29 9 14 30 24

Exercise 1.5 38 - 33

Exercise 1.6 4 27 28 33 27 43 16 21 43x 16 33 39 16 49

Exercise 1.7 26 21 17 x 28 43 x 3

Lesson 2: Combinations

Exercise 2.1: 38 33 28 x 39 29 23 18 x 2930 24 29 x 20 40 34 39 x 30 35 x 2

Exercise 2.2: 27 21 16 x 29 34 x 5

Exercise 2.3 38 33 35 x 44 33 x 31 44 x 33 31 27 32 x 21 43 38 33 x 42 41 37 42 x 31 36x 18

Exercise 2.4 29 24 19 x 28 42 x 4

C 2.1 26 21 17 x 26 37 31 26 x 37 38 32

37 x 28 39 - 33 28 x 39 40 34 39 x 30 35 x 11

C 2.2 30 24 19 x 30 39 34 30 x 39 38 3339 x 28 32 x 14

C 2.3 27 21 16 x 27 28 22 27 x 18 29 2318 x 29 33 x 2

C 2.4 37 31 26 x 37 38 32 37 x 28 33 x 2

C 2.5 29 23 19 x 28 21 x 5

C 2.6 39 34 33 x 22 34 29 24 x 33 45 4035 x 44 50 x 8

C 2.7 49 43 35 x 44 43 39 44 x 33 41 3731 x 42 47 x 27

C 2.8 22 18 13 x 22 32 28 22 x 31 36 x 29

Lesson 3. Coup Phlippe

Exercise 3.1: 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 16 x 2733 29 24 x 33 38 x 16

Exercise 3.2 White hopes for 7 11? 27 22!18 x 27 32 x21 16 x 27 33 29 24 x 33 38 x 16.

C 3.1 27 22 18 x 27 32 x21 16 x 27 33 29 24x 33 38 x 16

C 3.2: 27 21 17 x 26 28 22 18 x 27 32 x 21

26 x 17 33 29 24 x 33 38 x 16

C 3.3 27 22 18 x 38 42 x 33 23 x 32 33 2837 x 28 34 30 25 x 34 40 x 7

C 3.4 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 16 x 27 34 3024 x 33 38 x 20

C 3.5 33 28 22 x 44 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 2116 x 27 43 39 44 x 33 38 x 16 gaining piece

27.

C 3.6 27 22 17 x 28 33 x 22 18 x 27 32 x 2116 x 27 35 30 24 x 35 44 40 35 x 33 38 x 16gaining piece 27.

C 3.7 26 21 16 x 27 33 28 22 x 44 31 x 2218 x 27 43 39 44 x 33 38 x 16

C 3.8 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 16 x 27 34 3024 x 44 33 x 24 19 x 30 25 x 34 44 x 33 38 x 16

Lesson 4: Harlem shot

C 4.1 28 -22 17 x 28 34 29 24 x 33 38 x 29 23x 34 32 x 5

C 4.2 28 22 17 x 28 34 30 25 x 34 40 x 1813 x 31 32 x 25

C 4.3 29 - 24 20 x 29 32 28 23 x 32 34 x 1

C 4.4 25 20 14 x 25 28 22 17 x 28 34 2924 x 33 38 x 29 23 x 34 32 x 5


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C 4.5 35 30 24 x 35 25 20 14 x 25 33 2923 x 34 28 22 18 x 27 31 x 22 17 x 28 32 x 5

C 4.6 35 30 24 x 35 33 29 23 x 34 25 2015x 24 44 40 35 x 44 49 x 20 14 x 25 28 2218 x 27 31 x 22 17 x 28 32 x 5

C 4.7 35 30 24 x 35 44 40 35 x 44 34 2923 x 34 33 29 34 x 23 28 22 17 x 28 43 3944 x 33 38 x 7 2 x 11 32 x 5

C 4.8 25 20 14 x 34 40 x 18 13 x 22 27 x 1812 x 23 35 30 24 x 35 33 29 23 x 34 39 x 3035 x 24 28 22 17 x 28 32 x 5

Lesson 5: Coup Royal

C 5.1 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 16 x 27 33 2823 x 34 40 x 7

C 5.2 26 21 17 x 26 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 2123 x 34 44 40 26 x 17 40 x 7

C 5.3 35 30 24 x 35 34 30 35 x 24 27 2218 x 27 32 x 21 23 x 34 44 40 16 x 27 40 x7

C 5.4 27 21 16 x 27 31 x 22 18 x 27 32 x 2123 x 34 40 x 16

C 5.5 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 23 x 34 41 37

16 x 27 37 32 27 x 38 42 x 33 29 x 38 40 x 7

C 5.6 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 23 x 34 40 x 2025 x 14 33 28 16 x 27 28 23 19 x 28 37 3228 x 37 42 x 2

C 5.7 27 22 18 x 27 23 x 34 37 32 16 x 3835 30 34 x 25 48 43 38 x 40 45 x 1

C 5.8 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 23 x 34 40 x 7 1 x12 45 40 16 x 27 37 31 26 x 37 42 x 22 17 x39 40 34 39 x 30 35 x 2

Lesson 6: Kung Fu shot

C 6.1 33 29 24 x 33 34 29 23 x 43 28 x 4817 x 28 32 x 1

C 6.2 22 18 13 x 22 37 31 26 x 37 32 x 4123 x 32 38 x 16

C 6.3 37 31 26 x 37 32 x 41 23 x 32 38 x 2717 x 28 34 x 32

C 6.4 26 21 17 x 26 37 31 26 x 39 34 x 4325 x 34 40 x 16

C 6.5 35 30 24 x 35 34 29 23 x 34 39 x 3035 x 24 25 20 14 x 25 33 29 24 x 33 28 x 39

17 x 28 32 x 5

C 6.6 29 23 18 x 29 37 31 36 x 27 25 2014 x 34 44 39 34 x 43 38 x 49 27 x 38 42 x 2(or 42 x 4)

C 6.7 33 29 23 x 34 39 x 30 25 x 34 40 x 2924 x 33 28 x 39 17 x 28 32 x 25

C 6.8 33 28 22 x 33 37 31 26 x 28 38 32

28 x 37 29 x 38 20 x 29 34 x 3

Lesson 7: Ping Pong shot

C 7.1 27 22 18 x 27 25 20 14 x 34 40 x 1813 x 22 28 x 6

C 7.2 27 22 x 44 40 x 40 x 18 13 x 22 28 x26

C 7.3 29 23 19 x 28 26 21 17 x 37 41 x 2318 x 29 33 x 4

C 7.4 27 22 18 x 27 31 x 11 16 x 7 25 20 14x 34 40 x 18 13 x 22 28 x 26

C 7.5 42 38 25 x 34 38 33 29 x 38 32 x 43

21 x 23 40 x 7

C 7.6 27 21 16 x 38 37 32 38 x 27 31 x 13 8x 30 34 x 3

C 7.7 34 29 23 x 34 39 x 30 28 x 48 30 2548 x 31 25 x 21 26 x 17 36 x 9

C 7.8 32 27 21 x 32 36 31 26 x 37 43 3832 x 43 39 x 48 30 x 28 41 x 14

Lesson 8: Bomb shot

C 8.1 35 30 24 x 35 25 20 14 x 25 27 2116 x 27 32 x 12 23 x 41 12 x 5 26 x 37 36 x 47

C 8.2 30 24 20 x 29 27 21 16 x 27 32 x 1223 x 41 12 x 34 26 x 37 36 x 47

C 8.3 27 211) 16 x 27 32 x 12 23 x 34 12 x 5 26 x 37 40 x202) 26 x 37 32 x 41 23 x 34 12 x 5

C 8.4 27 21 16 x 27 32 x 12 23 x 43 12 x 2319 x 39 30 x 10 39 x 30 35 x 24 26 x 37 48 x 3937 x 48 10 5 48 x 19 5 x 23


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C 8.5 35 30 24 x 35 33 29 23 x 34 39 x 30

35 x 24 27 22 18 x 27 28 23 19 x 37 42 x 2

C8.6 34 29 23 x 34 40 x 20 15 x 24 27 2218 x 27 32 x 21 16 x 27 37 31 26 x 37 42 x 116 x 17 28 23 19 x 28 33 x 11

C 8.7 35 30 24 x 35 33 29 23 x 34 39 x 3035 x 24 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 16 x 27 28 2319 x 28 37 32 28 x 37 42 x 2

C 8.8 34 29 23 x 25 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 2116 x 27 28 23 19 x 28 33 x 2

Lesson 9: Arch shot

C 9.1 27 21 16 x 29 39 34 23 x 32 34 x 3

C 9.2 30 24 19 x 28 40 35 23 x 34 32 x 1

C 9.3 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 23 x 43 (or 23 x41 with the same shot) 49 x 38 16 x 27 38 3227 x 38 39 33 38 x 29 34 x 5

C 9.4 27 22 18 x 36 47 41 36 x 47 38 3347 x 29 32 - 27 23 x 21 34 x 3 25 x 34 3 x 30

C 9.5 30 24 19 x 28 43 38 23 x 34 27 22

18 x 27 37 32 28 x 37 42 x 2

C 9.6 28 22 18 x 29 34 x 23 19 x 28 31 2721 x 32 43 38 32 x 34 40 x 7

C 9.7 27 22 18 x 29 37 31 23 x 32 34 x 2319 x 28 42 38 32 x 34 40 x 7

C 9.8 27 22 18 x 27 36 31 27 x 36 47 4136 x 47 38 33 47 x 29 34 x 23 25 x 34 40 x 2014 x 25 23 x 5

Lesson 10: Coup Napoleon

C 10.1 27 22 17 x 28 37 - 31 28 x 37 38 3237 x 28 35 30 24 x 35 26 21 16 x 27 31 x 4

C 10.2 27 22 18 x 29 28 22 17 x 28 35 3024 x 35 26 21 16 x 27 31 x 4

C 10.3 26 21 17 x 26 24 19 14 x 34 33 2934 x 23 25 20 15 x 24 30 x 6

C 10.4 27 22 18 x 27 31 x 22 17 x 28 37 3128 x 37 38 32 37 x 28 35 30 24 x 35 26 2116 x 27 31 x 4

C 10.5 30 25 29 x 47 39 33 47 x 29 35 3024 x 35 27 22 17 x 28 26 21 16 x 27 31 x 4

C 10.6 39 34 30 x 28 29 23 18 x 29 27 x 9 3x 14 26 21 16 x 27 31 x 2

C 10.7 35 30 24 x 33 28 x 39 17 x 37 38 3237 x 28 26 21 16 x 27 31 x 4

C 10.8 32 28 23 x 34 25 20 29 x 47 20 x 7 2x 11 40 x 20 15 x 24 39 33 47 x 29 35 30 24x 35 27 22 18 x 27 26 21 16 x 27 31 x 2


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11. More shots

There are a lot more combinations with a name.We will not show them all, but will give you somebeautiful examples.

Coup Raphael

This combination is considered one of the mostbeautiful by many draughts players.

1.34 29! 23 x 342.28 23 19 x 393.37 31 26 x 284.50 - 44 21 x 435.44 x 11 16 x 7

6.48 x 17

The position that remains (black 7, white 17) wecall opposition. The one who has to playalways loses in the case of opposition.

Moon shot

1.27 22! 18 x 272.33 29 24 x 313.30 24 27 x 384.43 x 32 19 x 30

4.28 x 37

Piece 24 is removed in a special way. The lastcapture of white has the shape of a crescent.

Coup Raichenbach

This coup resembles the Coup Philippe. Nowpiece 24 has to be transported to 22 where itcan be used later on in the combination.

1.27 22! 18 x 272.33 29 24 x 223.35 30 25 x 344.40 x 20 15 x 245.32 28 22 x 33

6.38 x 20

Coup Deslauriers

This combination is named after the former

world champion from Canada, MarcelDeslauriers. Characteristic for this shot is thatwhite transports piece 23 to 21 by capturingbackwards 32 x 41. Piece 24 is brought tosquare 31. Piece 36 makes the shot.

1.37 31! 26 x 372.32 x 41 23 x 213.33 29 24 x 424.41 37 42 x 31

5.36 x 20


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Coup Springer

This combination is named after Dutch worldchampion 1928 Benedictus Springer.Because black has to capture 2 pieces at thesecond move white can give the piece at 21 atsquare 17, bringing a black piece at 22. Then heuses piece 41 to combine with:

1.27 22! 18 x 272.32 x 21 23 x 413.21 17 11 x 224.42 37 41 x 32

5.38 x 29

Coup Weiss

Isidore Weiss was the first world champion of

draughts at the beginning of the 20 th century.These days draughts was dominated bycombinations. Later positional play becamemore important.

1.37 31 26 x 372.27 21 16 x 273.28 22 27 x 184.38 32 37 x 28

5.33 x 2

After black catches the king white wins throughopposition:

5 3 - 8 6.2 x 105 x 14 6.39 34

Coup Turc

This is a special coup in which an enemy king iscaught.

1.37 32!!

The coup Turc is characterized by threefeatures:

1) The black king has to take the mostpieces (majority rule).

2) He can only jump over piece 32 once.3) He should finish the capturing first and

only after that he is allowed to take thepieces off of the board. So the white

piece at 33 remains there to make thewinning jump to square 2.

1 16 x 28 2.33 x 2

Semi Turc

1.30 24! 20 x 292.38 33 29 x 473.48 42 47 x 42

4.37 x 10


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Feature number 2 doesnt play a role here.Therefore it is only a semi-Turc. As a matter offact giving three pieces is never a full Turc.

Trap shot

The piece at 24 is transported to square 44,where it is trapped in between two whitepieces. The piece at 44 is used for acombination resembling the Coup Philippe.

1.35 30 24 x 352.45 40 35 x 443.28 22 17 x 284.33 x 22 44 x 33

5.38 x 16

Catapult shot

Piece 18 is put in between the white pieces.Then the piece is put back at his original spotenabling white to take a shot like a catapult.

1.29 23! 18 x 292.28 23 29 x 183.39 34 20 x 29

4.34 x 1

Coup Manoury

1.32 28! 23 x 322.37 x 28 26 x 463.40 35 46 x 404.35 x 24 20 x 29

5.45 x 1

The coup Manoury is characterized by not takingan enemy king at once but first capturing a pieceafter which the king and several pieces aretaken.

Coup Ricou

After white transports a black piece to square29, he plays 27 21 which gives black achoice, which is typical for the coup Ricou.However it doesnt matter in which way black

captures, the goal is to bring a piece to square17 and then transport piece 29 to 27 making the31 x 2 shot.

1.30 24! 19 x 302.35 x 24 20 x 293.27 21 16 x 274.32 x 21 26 x 175.38 33 29 x 386.37 32 38 x 27

7.31 x 2


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C 11.1

C 11.2

C 11.3

C 11.4

C 11.5

C 11.6

C 11.7

C 11.8


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12. Forcing

In some situations you can force a combination.Before the combination takes place you play amove that forces your opponent to answer in acertain way. After this forced answer you cantake a shot.

White attacks piece 20.

1.30 25!

Now black can only defend the attacked pieceby playing the exchange with 18 23 25 x 14 19x 10. After this white can perform a CoupPhilippe.

1 18 232.25 x 14 19 x 103.35 30! 24 x 354.44 40 35 x 445.43 39 44 x 33

6.38 x 7

White begins with a forcing move:He attacks with 34 29, forcing black to play 14

20.

1.34 29! 14 202.26 21! 17 x 373.28 x 8 37 x 39

White has two free moves. He doesnt go to kingbut uses the free moves to perform anothercombination:

4.50 45 2 x 135.45 40 24 x 336.40 34 39 x 30

7.35 x 2

In this example white plays two forcing movesbefore performing a Kung Fu shot.

1.39 34! 19 23*2.34 30 13 19*

The * - sign means that a move is forced.

3.40 34! 29 x 40

4.35 x 44 24 x 355.44 40 35 x 446.43 39 44 x 33

7.38 x 7

Sometimes the opponent has more than oneanswer, but will always lose.

In this case black has no good answer after:

1.33 28!!

Investigate this position yourself!


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.

White takes advantage of the gaps in blacksposition.

1.44 39!

Threatening 28 23 19 x 28 33 x 31 W+1.

1 27 312.37 32! 7 - 12

White was threatening 28 22 18 x 27 32 x 2129 23 19 x 28 33 x 2.2 7 11 isnt possible because of 32 27 31 x22 28 x 6. After 7 12 however white will get abreak through.

3.28 22 18 x 274.32 x 21 26 x 175.29 23 19 x 28

6.33 x 11

1.31 26! 22 x 312.36 x 27

White is threatening 26 21 17 x 26 37 31 26x 28 33 x 4 while 2 9 13 is punished by thecoup Philippe 3.27 22 17 x 28 4.33 x 22 18 x27 5.35 30 25 x 34 6.40 x 9.So black should play 17 22 after which whiteperforms a special trap shot.

2 17 223.35 30 25 x 344.39 x 30 22 x 31

5.30 24 19 x 306.40 34 30 x 287.26 21 16 x 278.37 x 26 28 x 37

9.42 x 4

White is able to remove piece 13 and makes ashot using an opponents king.

1.27 21 8 122.33 29 24 x 333.38 x 18 13 x 224.37 31 26 x 375.42 x 31 17 x 376.48 42 37 x 48

7.30 25 48 x 308.35 x 4

White forces his opponent to play 14 19 afterwhich piece 19 is transported to square 28 afterwhich white is able to make the 27 22 shot.

1.49 43! 14 19

Black had to stop the 24 19 13 x 24 34 30threat.

2.39 33 19 x 283.27 22 18 x 27


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4.31 x 2

White forces a win in a very surprising way.

1.32 28!! 2 8

Other moves dont help either.1 12 17 2.28 23 19 x 28 3.39 34 28 x 304.25 x 21 W+11. 18 23 2.27 x 20 23 x34 3.42 38! 24 x 154.33 x 13 +

2.28 x 17 12 x 343.42 37! 29 x 384.40 x 9 13 x 45.37 32 38 x 27

6.31 x 2

Blacks position has some weaknesses. There

are gaps at 12 and 13. White can force a kingshot by attacking piece 27.

1.42 37! 7 122.37 32 11 163.32 x 21 16 x 274.26 21 17 x 375.48 42 37 x 486.39 34 48 x 30

7.35 x 4

1.33 29!

Because of the threat 27 22 black is obliged toreply making a planned sacrifice.

1. 23 282.32 x 23 30 35

Black thought he was OK because of the threat20 24. But white surprises his opponent.

3.34 30! 25 x 214.26 x 17 12 x 21

5.23 x 3

It looks silly at first sight but whites next moveforces a winning shot.

1.31 26!! 21 - 27

1 18 22 is answered by 2.26 x 17 22 x 113.33 29! 13 18 4.29 24 19 x 30 5.28 x 1015 x 4 6.34 x 25 W+1.

2.32 x 21 23 x 433.39 x 48 16 x 274.37 32 27 x 29

5.34 x 1


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F 12.1

F 12.2

F 12.3

F 12.4

F 12.5

F 12.6

F 12.7

F 12.8


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13. The free move

In the first example of the last chapter white wasattacking a piece. You have to be aware that

attacking a piece gives your opponent a freemove. Therefore it is dangerous to attackpieces. If white attacks here with 30 25, blackis not forced to play 18 23. Black can use hisfree move to perform a Coup Weiss.

1.30 25? 19 23!2.25 x 14 24 303.35 x 24 23 294.24 x 33 13 195.14 x 23 18 x 47

If black takes 5 18 x 49? the king is caught by

50 44 49 x 40 35 x 44 W+1.Back to the diagram position: If white is notallowed to play 30 25, what should he do todefend against the threatening attack of black 20

25?White can play 1.50 44 in order to make anexchange after 20 - 25 by playing 2.44 39 25x 34 3.39 x 30.

Black has just attacked the white piece at 27.White now has a plan:The piece at 31 will go to square 22. If I cantransport piece 33 to 31 I have a combination.

1.47 41! 31 x 222.43 38 33 x 423.41 37 42 x 31

4.36 x 7

Lets put all the pieces at the board and play:

1.33 28 18 232.39 33 12 183.44 39 7 124.31 27 20 24

This is the Old Dutch opening. This openingused to be very popular and is still being played!White occupies the strong squares 27 and 28,while black is in possession of squares 23 and24. We call this a classical structure. Theposition is symmetrical now.

5.37 31 14 206.34 30

Black can play 20 25 now. White cannotexploit the free move he gets. A likely play after20 25 is: 7.41 37 25 x 34 8.40 x 20 15 x 24.Things change after:

6 17 21

Now white must resist the temptation to attack31 26?

7.31 26? 24 29!!

Black uses the free move to win a piece. Forexample: 8.26 x 17 11 x 31 9.36 x 27 29 - 34!10.40x29 23 x 25 B+1.After 7.41 - 37 its blacks turn to watch out. After20 25 white gains a piece with 27 22!.

Attacking pieces is dangerous,because your opponent gets a free

move!


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45

In this composition (Scheijen) white forces a winby creating a free move.

1.25 20! 24 302.38 32! 28 x 373.26 21 15 x 244.47 42 16 x 275.42 x 2 30 356.2 x 30 35 x 447.30 39 44 x 33

8.48 - 43

In this composition H. van Meggelen shows anice way to use a free move in this composition.

1.27 22! 28 332.26 21!

Piece 21 or piece 22 will be sacrificed at square

17. 2 17 x 26 gives the longest defense.

2 17 x 263.22 17 choice4.42 38 33 x 31

5.36 x 7 6 116.7 x 16 26 31

7.48 42 31 368.42 37 8 129.16 11 12 1810.11 7 18 22

White has to pay attention: After 11.7 2? 22 28 its a draw.

11.37 31! 36 x 27

12.7 2 27 3213.2 11 22 2714.11 - 16

In this composition (D. v.d. Berg) white creates afree move to be able to take a shot.

1.26 21! 27 312.33 28 16 x 273.50 44 40 x 494.29 23 49 x 32

5.23 x 3 32 x 56.3 x 37 5 x 41

7.46 x 37

White creates no less than 3 free moves. White

uses his free moves to make a trip from 49 to35.

1.37 31!!

It doesnt matter which of 4 possible capturesblack takes first. In any case black gets kings at46 and 48, after which the kings will end up at19 and 30 as food for the marching piece at 49.

1 26 x 482.49 44 28 x 463.44 40 46 x 19


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4.40 35 48 x 305.35 x 2

White creates a free move and makes a niceshot. White forces piece 30 to attack whitespieces, giving him the opportunity to prepare ashot.

1.29 24! 30 352.34 30!! 35 x 423.47 x 38 25 x 344.27 21! 16 x 275.32 x 21 19 x 306.21 17 12 x 21

7.26 x 10

Black has just played 17 21 threatening 21 27.

1.36 31 21 27?

After 2.31 x 22 12 18 white looses.

2.32 x 21! 23 x 34

White can use the free move to perform a coupRoyal, because black has to apply the majorityrule.

3.44 40 16 x 364.40 x 16

In this game position white made a sacrificehoping to get an advantage, but his opponenttook advantage of the free move he got.

1.30- 24? 20 x 292.39 33 29 34

3.33 29

After 3 13 18? 4.29 x 40 black would be introuble. 3 34 39 4.29 x 9 4 x 13 5.28 22etc. would be probably end in a draw. But blackmade a simple shot and won.

3. 4 9!4.29 x 40 17 22!5.27 x 29 19 236.28 x 19 13 x 31

In the game white played a nave move giving

his opponent a free move. Black uses the track6 x 46 for a shot. He only needs to transport apiece to square 11

1.37 31? 2 7!2.31 x 22 23 293.33 x 24 13 194.24 x 11 6 x 46

In exercise 13.7 and 13.8 you have to force awin!


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C 13.1

C 13.2

C 13.3

C 13.4

C 13.5

C 13.6

F 13.7

F 13.8


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14. The stick move

Attacking multiple pieces is dangerous. Youropponent could make a stick move.

In the game black played 21 26. In this casethe move is very dangerous. Not only does heattack multiple pieces, his position is veryvulnerable because the many gaps, especiallythe gap at 13. White took a shot to get twokings.

1 21 26?2.27 22! 26 x 303.22 x 2 24 x 33

4.35 x 4

White can make a shot using the stick move.

1.39 34! 30 x 282.26 - 21! 24 x 423.21 x 25 42 48

4.45 40

The black king is trapped: 48 26 5.47 42 26x 48 6.40 34 48 x 30 7.25 x 34 +

Attacking multiple pieces isdangerous because of a possible

stick move!

In the game white played 38 33 fearing thestick move that comes into play after 15 10 23

28 but in this case white has a nice solution.

1.15 10 23 - 28

White cant go to king immediately. If he goes to5 the king is caught and after 2.10 4 the stickmove 28 32 3.4 x 36 32 x 43 makes a draw.

2.37 32!! 28 x 373.10 4!

Now the stick move 27 32 doesnt work: 4.4 x48 32 x 43 5.48 x 25 +

3 27 314.4 x 36 16 21

5.38 32 37 x 286.36 41

Its also possible to play 44 39 first and makean attack using the king at the next move.

6 28 337.41 47 21 278.47 x 20 27 32

The game is not over yet. Always stayconcentrated until the job has been done.

9.20 42 6 1110.44 39! 11 1711.39 33! 17 2112.42 26! 21 27

13.26 48

When defending a difficultendgame you can often use the stick

moveespecially in case the enemy king

attacks several pieces.


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A position from a G. Kolk H. Jansen game.White forced a shot using the stick move. Duringthe shot white creates a free move enabling toactivate his king at once.

1.28 - 22! 21 26

Black cant stop the 31 26 threat by 7 11because of 2.22 17 11 x 22 3.31 26 22 x 314.26 x 19 24 x 13 5.36 x 27 W+1.

2.33 29!! 26 x 173.27 22! 24 x 444.22 x 2 30 x 39

5. 2 x 49

White could have forced a winning shot using astick move.

1.25 20 19 232.38 32! 23 x 433.32 x 23 36 x 274.33 28 22 x 335.23 19 13 x 24

6.20 x 49

In compositions we often see a special kind ofstick move.

1.22 17 11 x 312.33 29! 35 x 22

3.29 x 36

At the second move 33 29 creates the majoritycapture for black. In this case it is called anAfrican stick move.

In this composition white uses an African stickmove to get a shot and empties the board withhis king.

1.17 11! 7 x 16*2.22 18 13 x 313.38 33 16 x 404.33 x 2 15 x 245.2 x 28 40 45

6.28 50


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C 14.1

C 14.2

C 14.3

C 14.4

C 14.5

C 14.6

C 14.7

C 14.8


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15. Giving your opponent a king

Sometimes you can make a shot by giving your

opponent a king.

White needs a black piece at 20 to make a shot.He can get a king there:

1.38 32! 27 x 472.30 24 47 x 20

3.25 x 1

White gives his opponent a king at 48. Then hetransports the king to square 31, while at thesame time piece 27 is removed.

1.39 33! 28 x 482.38 32 27 x 383.42 x 33 48 x 314.36 x 20 15 x 24

5.30 x 28

In some situations there is a good reason to lookfor shots after giving your opponent a king. Sucha situation arises when your opponent has apiece at 36.

We look at a position composed by Swizinski.

You always have to look for shots with 47 41now. In this case there is no immediatecombination, but white can force a shot.

1.40 34!

White introduces the threat 47 41 36 x 47 44 40 47 x 29 34 x 3. Therefore black has only onesensible reply. After that white makes a niceshot using the majority rule.

1 9 142.47 41! 36 x 473.32 27! 47 x 23

4.27 x 9

Black to move

This is a position from a game (Winkel Heusdens) that was played during the Dutchchampionship 2008.Black has big problems because of the possibleshots with 47 41. For this reason black cannotplay 14 19. Look for yourself which shot whitetakes in case black plays 14 - 19.

At 1 18 23 white plays 2.37 32! And after 2 7 (there is no better move) white forces theshot with 3.40 35 threatening 25 20 14 x 2534 30 25 x 34 39 x 28 W+1, so black should


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play 3 14 19 and instead of winning a piecewith 25 20 even more convincing is: 4.47 41! 36 x 47 5.44 40 47 x 29 6.32 28 23 x 32

7.34 x 5 W+.

115 20

This move weakens the position of black evenmore. The position of piece 14 is very vulnerablenow. White should aim his arrows at this weakpoint:

2.33 28!

White prepares the exchange 28 23 18 x 2934 x 23. For example: 2 10 15 3.28 23! 18x 29 4.34 x 23 9 13 5.23 19 14 x 23 6.25 x14 etc. looks very dangerous for black.

If black prevents 28 23 through 9 13 whitehas a shot in which he uses the king in asurprising way.

2 9 133.47 41! 36 x 474.43 38! 47 x 225.26 21 17 x 266.34 29 24 x 337.39 x 19 14 x 23

8.25 x 5

In some situations it is even possible to giveyour opponent two kings.

White can force a shot in a spectacular way.

1.47 - 41!!

Threatening to win piece 31 by 41 36. Soblack has no real choice.

1 31 36

White uses his free move for a show in whichblack gets a second king!

2.32 28! 36 x 473.37 31! 26 x 483.38 33 47 x 294.28 23 19 x 28

5.30 x 8 3 x 126.39 34 48 x 30

7.35 x 4

This is a quite different type of combination.Blacks king is removed quickly after the shot.

1.27 21! 17 x 262.30 24! 19 x 483.28 x 6 48 x 31

4.36 x 27

Giving his opponent a king white gains a freemove he uses to open square 12 andsubsequently making the king shot.

1.28 22! 17 x 282.36 31 27 x 473.26 21 47 x 334.29 x 38 20 x 295.21 17 12 x 216.38 33 28 x 39

7.43 x 5


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After giving your opponent a king you cansometimes use a stick move. White forces ashot giving a king and playing a stick move.

1.20 15 10 142.38 33 28 x 393.49 43 39 x 484.15 10 48 x 22

5.10 x 28

In a Koeperman Wiersma game black playedthe dangerous move 1 13 18? allowingwhite to gain a free move by attacking theoutpost at 28. White uses the free move to makea shot in which he gives his opponent a king andmakes the shot by a stick move.

1 13 18?2.38 33! 9 13

3.33 x 22 12 174.40 35! 17 x 285.39 33 28 x 396.48 43 39 x 487.35 30 48 x 22

8.30 x 6

Black has a strong outpost at 27 and seems tohave a good attack in this game position (R. v.d.Pal Bedinovs 1995) . However white takesadvantage of the gaps in blacks position bygiving his opponent a king followed by a stickmove winning a piece and the game.

1.38 32 27 x 292.39 33 29 x 383.49 43 38 x 494.31 27 49 x 24

5.27 x 16

This is a special case in which the opponent isoffered no less than 3 kings!

1.28 23! 19 x 372.30 x 10 4 x 153.38 33 29 x 49

4.48 42 37 x 485.47 41 36 x 476.50 44 49 x 407.45 x 34 48 x 308.35 x 24 47 x 20

9.25 x 1


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C 15.1

C 15.2

C 15.3

C 15.4

C 15.5

C 15.6

C 15.7

C 15.8


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C 15.9

C 15.10

C 15.11

C 15.12

C 15.13

C 15.14

C 15.15

C 15.16


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16. Attacking a wing

Whites left wing is weak. Too few pieces defendthis side of the board. Black makes a plan to

attack this wing.

1 12 17!

White cant protect his left wing by playing 32 27, because black plays 18 23!! 38 - 32 (checkother moves yourself!) 23 29! 34 x 23 24 3035 x 13 9 x 49 B+.

2.34 29 18 22!3.29 x 20 14 x 25

Blacks plan is quite simple. He wants to bring a

piece to square 12, to be able to change 22 2732 x 21 17 x 26 and piece 26 will break throughwith a little help from the other pieces.We will show this plan:

4.39 34 19 24

Patience is needed. If black hurries 4 3 8?white has a shot: 5.32 27! 22 x 31 6.28 2217 x 48 7.45 40 48 x 30 8.35 x 2 =. The = -sign means it will be a draw.The 19 24 move threatens 25 30 34 x 25 24

29 33 x 24 22 x 44 so the next move is forced.

5.34 29 3 8!6.29 x 20 25 x 147.45 40 8 128.40 34 22 279.32 x 21 17 x 26

10.38 32

Now an immediate 26 31 is punished by 32 27 31 x 22 28 x 8, so black has to get somereinforcement (help).

10 12 17!

11.32 27 is met by 17 21 12.27 22 21 2713.22 x 31 26 x 37 with a breakthrough.

Otherwise black goes to king with 26 31 etc.

Isjimbaev Tsjizjow

In this position tenfold world champion Tsjizjowattacks his opponents left wing. His attackappears to be unstoppable.

1 27 - 32!2.43 - 39 32 x 413.36 x 47 26 - 314.29 24 31 - 365.39 - 34 28 - 326.34 - 29 32 - 37

7.29 - 23 37 - 418.23 18 9 - 13!9.18 x 20 41 - 46

10.47 - 41 46 x 30!11.25 x 34 36 41

Because 12.20 14 is answered by 41 4613.15 10 4 x 15 14.14 9 46 14! 15.9 x 2015 x 24 with opposition, white surrendered.

Sometimes a sacrifice helps to create a way toking. In this case piece 24 is attacked veryquickly by the sacrifice:


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1.27 22!! 18 x 382.42 x 33

White will get a breakthrough at the right wing.

Whites pieces work together perfectly. All hispieces are making contact with each other. Thisis good. White attacks piece 24. If he plays 34 29 23 x 34 40 x 20 black can win back the lostpiece with 19 23 28 x 19 13 x 15 =.White can prepare the attack with a very strongmove.

1.31 27!

Now black has difficulties finding a move! Hecant play 8 12 because white wins a piecewith 34 29. If black plays 1 11 17 the

attack with 34 29 23 x 34 40 x 20 is winningnow, because after 19 23 28 x 19 13 x 15white plays 27 21! 16 x 27 32 x 23 +.So black has to play 2 7 or 3 -9. In both cases34 29 is winning.

1 2 72.34 29! 23 x 343.40 x 20 19 234.28 x 19 13 x 155.37 31! 26 x 28

6.33 x 2

White waited to make the attack until blacksposition was weakened and was rewarded forhis patience.

(Diagram)

It seems that white cant play 39 34 here,because of 24 29. But you have to see whathappens next:

1.39 34!

If black plays 24 29 2.33 x 24 19 x 39 3.28 x19 13 x 24 white replies 4.38 33! 39 x 28 5.32x 14 +.

You have to consider if black can sacrifice apiece before playing 24 29. In this case both16 21 and 26 31 fail.

1 26 31 2.27 x 36!

24 29 is still not possible. White wins.

1.48 43!

White wants to attack piece 24. He threatens 34 29.

1 10 152.34 29 23 x 343.40 x 20 15 x 24

4.39 34

Black cant stop the next attack playing 18 23because of 33 29 etc. nor can he play 19 23because of a coup Philippe: 27 22 18 x 27 32x 21 16 x 27 33 29 24 x 33 38 x 16.That means that white plays 34 29 at the nextmove winning a piece after 24 30 35 x 24 19 x30 29 23 18 x 29 33 x 35.


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Scholma composed this example of a doublesacrifice to get a winning attack at 24.

1.28 22! 18 x 362.39 34 12 183.34 29 8 134.29 x 9 13 x 4

There as no other defense for black, but nowwhite takes a nice shot.

5.47 42! 36 x 296.30 24 choice

7.25 x 1

In this example white attacks blacks right wing.Piece 21 is isolated from the rest of blackspieces.

1.37 31!

Black cant prevent the threat 31 26. 1 21 26 is answered by 2.33 29! 24 x 22 3.27 x 9 26x 28 4.9 3 8 13 5.3 9! etc. W+. Black alsocant use the sacrifice 1 24 29 2.33 x 24 21 -26 to attack piece 31, for white has the answer3.27 22! 26 x 37 4.32 x 41 23 x 32 5.27 2218 x 27 6.24 x 2 and white wins the endgame.

If white attacks immediately 1.30 25? blackplays the stick move 12 17 with a draw.White won the game making a surprisingsacrifice:

1.22 18!! 12 x 232.30 25!

What to do now? Black is obliged to move! After2 24 29 3.33 x 15 white is winning.

White forces a nice shot attacking piece 21:

1.28 22! 9 132.37 31! 21 263.33 29 26 x 174.27 21 23 x 45

5.21 x 5

Examples: At every position youhave to look for the best attackingmoves! Dont forget to consider

sacrifices and shots making yourplans!


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16.1

16.2

16.3

16.4

16.5

16.6

16.7

16.8


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17. The sacrifice

Giving your opponent a piece is sometimes very

smart as we have seen at several occasions.After giving your opponent a piece you cansometimes attack successfully.

In this game position white makes a sacrificefollowed by an attack. The strong piece at 24 isremoved to be able to attack 23.

1.35 30! 24 x 352.33 29

Of course this is a dangerous situation. Youhave to check carefully if black has a stick-moveor a shot. In this case black has to close square

18.

2 12 183.29 24 19 x 30

4.28 x 10

Dussaut De Heer 1886

A famous game in which the French playerDussaut made a double sacrifice. His sacrifice isstill called the Dussaut sacrifice. Note that thefirst example was also a Dussaut sacrifice.

1.35 30! 24 x 35

2.27 22! 18 x 273.33 29

No stick moves or shots available for black.

3. 13 184.29 24 19 x 30

5.28 x 10

White won the endgame.

White attacks the vulnerable piece at 19 makinga sacrifice followed by an attack.

1.28 22! 17 x 282.38 33

Even the possible stick move is losing for black:

2 26 313.33 x 13 31 x 42

4.32 28!!

White removes piece 24 in order to attack thevulnerable piece at 19.

1.25 20! 24 x 152.35 30!

Threatens to play 30 24, which is also playedalso after 15 20.


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Black has no choice but to give back the piece.However, this gives white a very strong position.

2 23 293.33 x 24 9 144.38 33! 14 205.33 29 20 25

6.39 34

Black has no good moves left. 12 - 17 is met by28 22 +.

In this case the purpose of the sacrifice is tobreak through to the kings row.

1.37 31! 26 x 372.32 x 41 23 x 32

3.22 18!

White wants to play 18 13 8 -12 13 9. Thereis not much black can do about this

Both players possess the strong squares 27 and28, for black 23 and 24. This type of position iscalled a classical position. In classical gamessacrifices play an important role. Because piece24 is so strong it is often removed by asacrifice, like in this example.

1.35 30! 24 x 352.45 40 35 x 44

3.39 x 50

Black has to give back at least two pieces andloses.

This position has emerged in many games.The way to attack piece 24 is something toremember!

1.37 31!! 26 x 372.32 x 41 23 x 21

3.34 29

White sacrificed two pieces for a winning attack.

This position is composed by the former Dutchworld champion Piet Roozenburg. The sacrificeis not followed by an attack here, but by adouble threat.

1.16 11! 7 x 162.26 21!

White threatens to take the shot a shot at 3 or 5:33 28 23 x 32 27 x 38 16 x 27 38 32 27 x 3839 33 38 x 29 34 x 3 + or 34 x 5 +.2 18 22 2.27 x 29 16 x 27 is met by 3.29 23 19 x 28 4.33 x 31 +.Black is without defense.


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White played

1.32 28! 22 272.28 22 27 x 18

3.33 28

Leaving his opponent with no sensible move.3 14 19 is answered by 4.32 28 18 x 205.25 x 3 +

White seems to be in trouble. Both 24 20 and32 28 22 x 33 29 x 38 lose because of 13 19. In the game white lost playing 1.25 20? 14x 25 2.23 19 13 18 and white doesnt have abreak through because 3.19 13 is punished by22 27 4.13 x 31 36 x 38 B+.White should have destroyed blacks strongformation 4/9/13/14.

1.15 10!!

Two possibilities:1) 1 14 x 5 2.23 19! 13 18 3.29 23

18 x 20 4.25 x 3 +2) 1 4 x 15 2.32 28! 22 x 33 3.29 x 38

26 31 4.38 32 and black can onlygive away a lot of pieces.

This is a beautiful composition by Dutchgrandmaster A. Scholma in which a triplesacrifice gives white the opportunity to make anice shot.

1.28 22 17 x 282.27 21 26 x 173.35 30!! 24 x 35

An immediate 3.38 33? is punished by 3 9!4.33 x 22 24 30 5.35 x 13 9 x 49

4.38 33 18 225.45 40! 35 x 446.32 27 22 x 426.33 x 13 44 x 33

7.47 x 7

This sacrifice composed by Scholma is very

surprising:

1.25 20 24 x 15

At 1 14 x 25 2.38 32 etc. wins.

2.37 32!!

Quite shocking. Black gets a king and somepieces for free, but after this white plays 30 2548 x 30 35 x 4 There is no solution for black.


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17.1

17.2

17.3

17.4

17.5

17.6

17.7

17.8


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18. Strong threats

Lets play from the beginning position:

1.33 28 18 232.39 33 12 183.44 39 7 124.31 27 1 7

5.37 31 20 25?

Blacks last move, putting a piece at the edge ofthe board, was a serious mistake. White canface his opponent with a strong threat.

6.27 22! 18 x 277.31 x 22

White is threatening to play 22 18 13 x 22 34 30 25 x 34 40 x 27 W+1.There is nothing black can do against this threat!

Look at the gaps in whites position! Black tomove has to look for a way to take advantage ofthese weaknesses.

1 18 23!!

Blacks plan is to play 13 18 at the next move,threatening both with the arch shot 24 30 and24 29. For this reason white has to close

squares 37 and 39. But even then white cantavoid a shot from black.

2.41 37 13 18!

So if white plays 31 27 black makes the Archshot with 24 30! 35 x 22 14 20 28 x 19 17 x50 +.

3.44 39 24 30!

There was one gap left: square 38.

4.35 x 22 23 295.33 x 24 14 196.24 x 13 9 x 49

Do you remember that the piece at 36 can often

be used for shots? In this case white faces hisopponent with a threat. If black avoids the threatwhite has a nice shot.

1.39 33!

White threatens 33 29. For example: 1 7 11 2.33 29 11 16 3.27 22! etc. +1 23 29 costs a piece, so there is only onereply left to avoid 33 29 to be played.

1 20 242.47 41! 36 x 47

3.33 29!! 47 x 304.29 x 9 13 x 4

5.35 x 2

A very nice shot: Six pieces are fed to the king!

Too many gaps make yourposition dangerous because of

enemy shots


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Hoogland - Molimard

This game was played during the WorldChampionships of 1912. White made a wrongexchange:

1.27 21? 16 x 272.32 x 21 23 x 32

3.37 x 28

Black took the opportunity to face his opponentwith a strong threat:

3 18 22!

Black threatens to win a piece with 24 29 etc.If white replies 4.40 34 black wins by theHaarlem shot 24 29! 5.34 x 23 22 27 6.21 x

32 17 22 7.28 x 17 19 x 46 +.White became victim of an even moredevastating combination.

4.39 34 22 27!5.21 x 32 17 226.28 x 17 12 x 217.26 x 17 24 308.35 x 24 19 x 46

Thijssen Tsjizjow

1. 20 24!

Black threatens to force a king at 50. Forexample: 2.37 31 15 20!! And white has nosensible reply against the threat 29 33! 38 x 29

24 x 33 39 x 28 25 30 35 x 15 14 20 15 x 2419 x 50 28 x 19 13 x 24 B+.If white plays 2.34 30 25 x 34 3.39 x 30 15 20! Black threatens both 29 33 and 29 34.White cant stop both threats.

1.30 24!!

Threatening 24 19, so black cant refuse totake a 1 to 4 king shot.

1 13 192.24 x 13 8 x 48

3.29 23 18 x 29

4.38 32 27 x 385.42 x 24 48 x 31

6.36 x 7

33 29!!

Sijbrands surprised his opponent during ablindfold game. Black cant make the 12 17 29x 7 or 11 17 29 x 7 8 12 shot because of thecontra shot 27 22 17 x 28 32 x 5.At 12 18 white makes the shot playing 29 2420 x 29* 27 22 18 x 27 32 x21 etc. W+


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A silent move is a move thatdoesnt face the opponent with a

threat, but still gives a shot at everypossible reply.

This position is from a game between two youngDutch players. White (Rutger Oskam) wasconsidering what black can play at his nextmove. White has built a position that makes both20 24 and 19 - 24 impossible because of theCoup Philippe 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 16 x 2733 29 24 x 33 38 x 9 (or 38 x 7) +.Black also cannot play 12 17 because of 27 21 16 x 27 32 x 3 +.The only move black has left is 6 11. So whitetried to find a move to be able to make a shotafter 6 11.

1.48 43!!

Very well played! Notice that white doesnt facehis opponent with a threat at all, but still he canmake a shot at every sensible reply.At 6 11 white plays 32 28! 23 x 21 26 x 6. Sothere is no good move left for black

A small position with a charming solution.Usually it is good to move your pieces towardsthe centre, but here white should play theopposite way.

1.31 26! 1 72.37 - 31

Black can play 7 11 or 7 12 but both movesare punished by 33 28 23 x 32 31 27 32 x 2126 x 6 or 26 x 8.

Whites pieces work together in a better waythan blacks pieces. White can prove this with asilent move.

1.28 23!!

Black can reply in three ways:1) 1 8 13 2.23 19 14 x 34 3.39 x 172) 1.. 18 22 2.23 18 12 x 34 3.39 x 103) 1 24 30 2.29 24 30 x 28 3.33 x 2

1.33 29!!

There is no threat but black has only one replyafter which white takes a shot by giving hisopponent a king followed by a stick move.

1 14 192.29 23! 19 x 483.26 21 49 x 19

4.21 x 3

Ex.18.1 18.8: Look for a strong threat!Ex.18.9 18.16: Look for a winning silent move!


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18.1Look for a strong threat!

18.2

18.3

18.4

18.5

18.6

18.7

18.8


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18.9Look for a winning silent move!

18.10

18.11

18.12

18.13

18.14

18.15

18.16


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19. Base pieces

Pieces 46 50 are whites base pieces. Blacksbase pieces are 1 5.

Usually base pieces are only played when thereis a good reason for it. Piece 46 is consideredthe least valuable base piece. It is often broughtinto play early in the game. Piece 48 isconsidered the most valuable piece, it is calledthe golden piece.

We see a nearly symmetrical classical position.There is only one difference between bothpositions. White has the golden piece, black hasa weak piece at 15. Because black misses thegolden piece, piece 9 is weak. It is a danglingpiece. Both 9 and 15 are not active.White uses the formation 37/42/48 to take

control over the left wing. Black will be withoutgood moves soon.

1.37 31 26 x 372.42 x 31 6 113.31 26 11 - 174.48 42 23 29

5.42 37

Its over already. Both 5 18 23 and 5 15-20 are met by 6.35 30 etc. +

Wiersma Sijbrands

1.49 44?

Black plays an attack having an outpost at 27. Inthis case it is dangerous to play without basicpiece 49. Without formation 38/43/49 white cantchange the outpost anymore. Moreover hisopponent can take advantage of the opensquare 49 by threatening to take king shots.

1 14 19!

Black threatens to play 27 32! Looking forshots it makes sense to look at sacrificing themost advanced pieces first. The 27 32 moveremoves piece 38 opening tracks to king.Lets consider whites forbidden moves:

1) 2.37 32 23 28! 3.32 x 14 27 324.38 x 27 13 19 5.14 x 23 18 x 49 6.27x 18 47 x 29 +

2) 2.34 29 23 x 34 3.39 x 30 17 21 4.26x 28 27 32 5.38 x 27 15 20 6.25 x 2318 x 40 +

3) 2.34 30 19 24! 3.30 x 28 27 324.38 x 27 15 20 5.25 x 14 13 19 6.14x 23 18 x 40 7.27 x 18 12 x 32 8.37 x 2817 21 9.26 x 17 11 x 44

4) 2.44 40 27 32 3.38 x 27 (37 x 28 23x 32 38 x 27 15 20 B+) 23 29 4.34 x

14 13 19 5.14 x 23 18 x 49 6.27 x 1849 x 35 +

Moves like 2.33 28 or 2.33 29 are notattractive at all. White decided to make theexchange 2.25 20 15 x 24 3.33 28 22 x33 4.38 x 20. Black got a great attackingposition and won the game (4 4 10! 5.31x 22 18 x 27 6.43 38 [6.20 15 19 247.15 x 4 24 29 8.4 x 31 29 x 47 B+1] 10 15 7.39 33 15 x 24 8.33 29 24 x 33 9.38x 9 3 x 14 10.42 38 17 22 withadvantage for black).


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Valneris - Hezemans

To give you an idea how this position wasreached we show the opening moves of thegame:

1.32-28 18-23 2.33-29 23x32

3.37x28 17-22 4.28x17 11x22

5.39-33 12-18 6.44-39 19-23

7.50-44 14-19 8.41-37 16-21

9.31-26 21-27 10.46-41 07-11

11.29-24 20x29 12.33x24 19x30

13.35x24 10-14 14.37-31 13-19

15.24x13 08x19 16.41-37 09-13

The situation is quite different from the formerexample. Blacks attack is not so strong. Whitehas built the right formations to neutralize the

attack. He attacks the outpost and removescentre piece 23 changing 34 29 x 29.After having removed blacks outpost whiteultimately breaks through at the left wing.Of course white couldnt do this without piece49! Watch how white performs his plansuccessfully.

17.37 32! 11 - 1618.32 x 21 16 x 2719.42 - 37 6 - 1120.37 - 32 11 - 1621.32 x 21 16 x 27

22.47 - 42 2 7

Black cant defend the outpost playing 23 28because after 23.42 37 18 23 24.34 29! 23x 34 25.40 x 29 (threatening 29 23) blackloses a piece.

23.42 - 37 7 - 1124.37 - 32 11 - 1625.32 x 21 16 x 2726.48 - 42 1 - 727.42 - 37 7 - 11

28.34 29! 23 x 34

29.40 x 29 3 - 830.29 23! 18 x 2931.38 33 29 x 38

32.43 x 21 11 - 1633.49 43! 16 x 2734.43 - 38 19 - 2335.37 - 32 13 1836.32 x 21 8 - 1237.31 - 27 22 x 3138.36 x 27 23 29

38 12 17 39.21 x12 18 x 7 40.26 21 etc.wont stop the break through at the left wingeither.

39.38 - 32

Black surrendered.

Piece 47 can be a very strong defender,especially in classical positions. Thanks to piece47 white can force a beautiful win.

1.42 38 12 172.28 22! 17 x 28

3.38 33!

Black has no good defense. After 3 26 314.37 x 17 28 x 37 5.39 34 black has run out ofmoves


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White has two strong base pieces in thisclassical position. Which piece to play? There isno general rule which piece to play. You can

only know by investigating the position. So letslook at both possibilities.1.48 43 looks nice after 1 12 17? 2.43 39 but black can play 1 23 29 2.34 x 23 18 x29 gaining space. White should not allow this ifhe wants to win.Piece 47 usually goes to 41 in such positions.This is logical, because now you can play 2more moves at this wing (41 36 & 36 31)while after 47 42 the piece is dangling. In thiscase 47 41 has another benefit. Blacks naturalmove 12 17 can be answered by a shot!

1.47 41!!

After 1 12 17 blacks position is annihilatedby 2.34 29! 23 x 25 3.28 23 19 x 39 4.38 33 39 x 28 5.32 x 3 21 x 32 6.3 x 19 +.

1 23 292.34 x 23 18 x 29

3.41 36!!

An excellent, patient move. White prepares idealconditions for the endgame that is reached after28 23.

3 12 184.28 23! 19 x 39

5.30 x 10

Black cant play 39 44 now because of theshot 6.37 31! 26 x 28 7.10 5 21 x 43 8.5 x 3+. After 5 29 33 6.38 x 29 39 44 whitetakes the shot 7.29 23 18 x 29 8.37 31 26 x28 9.10 4 21 x 32 10.4 x 3 +.After sacrificing 2 pieces by 26 31 6.37 x 17 39

44 7.10 4 white has a won endgame.

Black to move

The piece at 45 is stopped by piece 50. Youwould expect white never to be able to playpiece 50. In this endgame (composed by V.

Nicod) black loses because of some tricks.

Black can try to break through in 2 ways:1) 1 18 23 2.29 x 18 19 24 3.18 12

(going to 3 wins too) 24 30 4.12 7 30 34 5.7 1 34 39 6.50 44! 39 x 507.1 6 +

2) 1 19 23 2.28 x 19 18 22 3.19 1422 27 4.14 10 27 32 5.10 5 32 38 6.50 44!! A brilliant move! Whitethreatens to play 44 40 + while 6 45- 50 7.29 23! also loses.

Galkin

This is a famous composition. White forces awin in a very special way:

1.34 30! 35 x 242.50 44!!

Black cant go to king: 45 50 32 27 50 x 3136 x 7. White is threatening both 44 40 45 x 3432 27 21 x 32 43 38 32 x 43 48 x 10 + and44 40 45 x 34 32 28 23 x 32 43 39 34 x 4349 x 7. At 18 22 white can take the shot 3.44 40 45 x 34 4.32 27 21 x 32 5.43 39 34 x 436.49 x 9 + and 17 22 is answered by 3.44 40

45 x 34 4.32 28 22 x 33 5.43 39 33 x 44 6.49x 9.Black has no good way to sacrifice either, so heloses.

In the exercises you have to select the best ofthe two moves.


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19.1 46 41 / 47 - 41

19.2 50 44 / 49 - 44

19.3 50 44 / 49 44

19.4 48 43 / 49 43

19.5 47 42 / 48 - 42

19.6 47 41 / 47 - 42

19.7 46 41 / 47 - 41

19.8 47 41 / 48 - 42


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20. Trapping your opponent

In this position white wants to trap his opponent.

1.33 - 29?!

De ?! - sign means white is speculating for hisopponent will play a move that looks good butwhich is actually a mistake. In this case it looksas if black can force a win by 19 24. If whitecloses the gap with 39 33 black wins a pieceby 22 28 33 x 22 24 x 42 47 x 38 12 17 B+1.But white has prepared a trap.

1 19 24? 2.34 - 30!!

The surprise. Black has to take 4 pieces with

piece 23.

2 23 x 21 3.30 x 6

1.44 39?!

White is provoking a trap shot.

1 16 21?2.27 x 16 6 113.16 x 7 23 294.34 x 23 18 x 295.7 x 18 13 x 44

Black goes to 44 with the intention of getting aking. White however takes advantage of thegaps in blacks position, especially the gap at 13.

6.40 34! 29 x 407.45 x 34

Going to king with 44 50 loses because of8.49 44 50 x 30 9.35 x 2 +. Its better tosacrifice a piece with 9 13 39x30 etc. toremain in the game.

1.49 44?!

White offered her opponent a king shot. In thegame black calculated the king shot accuratelyand didnt take the shot. This is the calculationblack made:

1 24 302.35 x 24 19 x 303.25 x 34 23 284.33 x 22 17 x 285.32 x 23 18 x 496.38 33! 49 x 21

7.26 x 10

Black played 1 2 - 8 and got a good position.

1.39 34?!


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White plays a snare: a move trying to seduceyour opponent to take a shot after which youhave a shot yourself.

1 22 27?2.32 x 21! 16 x 273.31 x 22 17 x 304.29 - 23 18 x 295.40 34 30 x 39

6.43 x 5

There were choices for black at the 4th

and 5th

move. Check by yourself that other captures willalso result in a king shot for white.

1.39 34?!

It seems that white has made a mistake. Black

can take a Harlem shot! But white calculateddeeper.

1 23 29?2.34 x 23 17 223.28 x 1

Documents

Course in Draughts 1